Karen told Sue she knew of a Christian counselor who did therapy at a reduced rate. A week later the wife died, followed in six months by her husband. For example, if the actual cost of the injury was $1,000, pain and . As hurtful as it is, suffering can purify us if we submit to the One who has a loving plan for the pain. In order to make up for the loss of the servants tooth, this was to be done as compensation. The Lord's purpose in both storms was to train them to stop relying on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes. It should be noted that they have refused either to pursue a claim or accept any benefits from the wrongdoer as a result. What if the person in question is a believer? Consider how the Lord Jesus was the exact representation of the glory of the FatherI mean, He was all window and no walls! Related Topics: Discipleship, Discipline, Sanctification, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Life, Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Women's Articles, Sue Bohlin is a speaker/writer and webservant for Probe Ministries, a Christian organization that helps people to think biblically. Prior to beginning any legal action, we should also take into account the emotional and financial costs associated with it. The pain and suffering amount should be fair and just in the light of the evidence. The nothing from which this new world of happiness or the definitive Paradise flows is not an innocent nothingness but a guilty nothingness that is the greatest evil - sin - which leads definitively to the Cross. Let us flee from self-righteousness, and toward compassion, as our Lord has compassion upon us ( Psalm 78:37-39 ). It is important to remember, however, that it is never a good idea to sue for damages in order to punish the hospital or physician. Its important to work with an attorney who has handled your type of case successfully in the past and who knows what a reasonable settlement is. This includes being charitable towards those who have wronged us or caused harm. Matthew 5:41-42 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an . The cost for severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, will likely be multiplied by a higher number. Can a person sue for pain and suffering? You can transform our nation one family at a time! As well as striking the blow, the man was also responsible for seeing to it that the injured man was fully healed after the blow was struck. Pope John Paul II states: "Suffering is something which is still wider than sickness", because there is a "distinction between physical suffering and moral suffering" (Salvifici Doloris, n. 5). Three topics, among others, that the Pope addresses in his Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris with regard to suffering as a mystery are: "evil and suffering", "Christ takes on suffering", and "the value of human suffering". Lawyer directory. He not only teaches those we rub shoulders with every day, but He instructs the countless millions of angels and demons. The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. Paul confronts that type of thinking when he writes, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). It forces us to face the fact that we are powerless to change other people and most situations. Paul explained what happens in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. What you are experiencing from God, you can give away in increasing measure to others. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What Does the Bible Say About Helping Others Too Much? However, although God rejects this theory and approves Job's innocence his suffering remains a mystery: not all suffering is consequential to transgression, which is proof of Job's righteousness. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Some survivors, like Sue, wonder how there could be a God who would allow an innocent child to endure such pain and suffering, and others see no meaning or purpose in life. In Matthew 5:25 , Jesus said that you should settle with an adversary on the way to Court, and in Proverbs 25:8 , we are warned against bringing the . Her per diem is $192 x 30 days for a total of $5,760 for her pain . Seven times in the book of Hebrews, the author captures the heart of Christianity in a simple, wonderful command: draw near. Other factors could involve the newsworthiness of your case, how far along in litigation the case is, and whether you bear any responsibility for the accident or injury. A doctor-patient relationship exists. Paul means that the court system exists for matters of this life that are outside the church. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ( Revelation 21:4 ). She loves teaching women and laughing, and if those two can be combined, all the better. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in . You can give all the money from any potential settlement award directly back into charity instead of keeping it yourself; this way God gets credit for helping fight injustice even though He doesnt usually use lawsuits as one of His weapons in this battle on earth! ibid., n. 9). It is a matter of a real vocation, especially when one is united to the Church with a Christian profession. This word pair names one of the most difficult problems facing Christian faith and practice today. When someone is injured by another person or business, there are two ways to approach the situation: suing or forgiving. Sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a Christian perspective. The Bible doesnt whitewash our experience of suffering by saying that its all of one stripe. Find the best ones near you. When a member is hurting, the church applies the bandages; when a member is down, the church encourages; when a member is in need, the church comes alongside to help. You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another persons deepest distress. Pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered. Only in love is it possible to find the saving response to pain. Has Focus on the Family helped you or your family? The Apostle James, in chapter 1, verses 1-4, was writing to Jewish Christians facing some intense trials. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. But developing holiness in us is a worthwhile, extremely important goal for the Holy One who is our divine Bridegroom. The whole context of 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 deals with disputes in the church, but Paul does reference the court system when he speaks of judgments concerning things pertaining to this life. The Holy Father tells us that in Old Testament biblical language, suffering and evil are at first identified with each other. In accepting it we become totally human through suffering-love; in rejecting it, on the contrary, we destroy ourselves as human beings through suffering and hatred. This definitive destruction of suffering through suffering leads us to destroy our actual suffering with the whole panoply of means at our disposal, as in the case of the Good Samaritan. My friend Pete buried his wife a few years ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Is it right for a Christian to sue? They may also target those who are less educated or financially struggling, knowing that they will be more likely to take legal action. To maximize the viability of your case, your lawyer may want to file a lawsuit to resolve evidence issues and other legal matters that can lead to a larger settlement if you are successful. Pain and suffering damages are often the largest part of a . Lawsuits can be useful when a contract is in dispute. Many Christians wonder if it's okay to take medicine for the disease, illness, or other type of suffering God ordained. We usually want our desire for comfort, love, mercy and justice to be satisfied in this life (and immediately, if at all possible. Scripture makes it pretty clear that brothers and sisters in Christ should not be suing one another (1 Corinthians 6:1-11). A Christian who is directed to abandon any legal action by God must do so willingly in order to follow His direction. In a lawsuit for personal injury, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. In fact, our suffering is a sign of God's love. For this solidarity, Christ brought the elimination of sin to completion through his suffering in his life, passion, death and Resurrection. Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. I have an appreciation of heaven gained from a different experience. Suffering prepares us to minister comfort to others who suffer. The definition is vague, but the law allows you to file an insurance claim for pain and suffering compensation. The Bible teaches that Christians can sue if they need compensation for the injuries they have suffered, but it also teaches them to forgive their enemies (Matthew 5:44). He will give us the comfort, peace, patience and strength we need. With the Cross, he overcomes sin, and with his Resurrection, death (Jn 3:16; cf. Pain is based on personal experiences and the severity of a persons injuries. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. ibid.,n. Then, given the Holy Father's openness to all human values, it seems to me that it would be interesting to allude to and discuss certain key thoughts on four solutions from outside the Christian context. Then we can turn around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has produced in us. Trials are nothing . If you or A Loved one have suffered an injury or death as a result of a property owners negligence, you are Going To have a lot of issues to deal with in the Future. Physical pain may include a broken bone, skin tissue damage, back-pains, headaches or other physical manifestation of an actual harm. If this is your situation, you should keep in mind that, from a practical standpoint, its rare for anyone to emerge as a real winner from any kind of lawsuit. Draft a demand letter. C.S. Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. National and International Religion Report, Vol. Suffering makes us homesick for heaven. I think that the more important question should be, Am I bringing glory to God? If you are not sure if your decision is the best one, then ask a trusted Christian friend or family member who has known you for a long time. To sue for pain and suffering or emotional stress, you have to file a personal injury lawsuit and prove that your employer was at fault. This market value on pain and suffering established by similar cases is a starting point from which lawyers operate. Within this therapy, they talk about pain and suffering through a context called Distress Tolerance. We learn in Hebrews 12:10 that we are enabled to share in His holiness through the discipline of enduring hardship. First, choose your state: . Furthermore, the Christian mystery is not only something contemplated but also experienced. This means that if you choose not to take legal action against someone who has hurt you or your family, then you will be able to move on with your life instead of having the burden of dealing with court documents and lawyers tied up in your mind and heart. Avvo has 97% of all lawyers in the US. May pain and suffering be transformed into a source of strength for all humanity. Love is the only key to deciphering the enigma of pain and suffering: love that can transform nothingness into full reality. Mystery, in the Christian faith, is not darkness but dazzling brightness. When a brother sins against you, Jesus says that you are to tell him his fault in front of just the two of you if he sins against you. You must be able to demonstrate that you had a direct relationship with the doctor you intend to sue. Thanks to the Greek language however, a distinction is made particularly in the New Testament between suffering and evil. 12). The church is not meant to be a loosely bound association of functional Lone Rangers. To begin with, the courts do not have anything inherently evil about them. Please try again later. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. There is nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this way. That truth about overcoming sustains Christians when suffering threatens to overwhelm. How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! God warned Adam that eating the forbidden fruit would result in death ( Gen 2 ). But what about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? Exodus 21:27. The Pope ends by saying that the mystery of man is revealed in Christ, and the mystery of man is very specially connected to suffering. To determine whether you can sue for pain and suffering damages, you must first look at liability in your case. Ohio limits non-economic damages in all torts to $250,000 or three times economic damages, capped at $350,000 for a single plaintiff or $500,000 total if there are multiple plaintiffs. For Christians, it is important to have a Biblical view of why God allows suffering and how we are to go through it. 28). With all this said, it is important to remember that you need to ask yourself if you would want to be forgiven by God if you were in trouble? Financially struggling, knowing that they have refused either to pursue a or. Around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion our! Determine whether you can sue for pain and suffering amount should be, Am I bringing glory to?! Into full reality of enduring hardship toward compassion, as our Lord has compassion upon us Psalm. From the wrongdoer as a traumatic brain injury, will likely be multiplied by a number! Matthew 5:41-42 if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles with every,. 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